Deforestation inhibits malaria transmission in Lao PDR: a spatial epidemiology using Earth observation satellites.

Background: The present study aimed to analyze the impact of deforestation on the malaria distribution in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), with consideration of climate change.

Methods: Malaria distribution data from 2002 to 2015 were obtained from the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR and each indicator was calculated. Earth observation satellite data (forested area, land surface temperature, and precipitation) were obtained from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

Low Prevalence of Infection and High Prevalence of Other Helminth Infections among Domestic Animals in Southern Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The prevalence of in humans in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has been relatively well monitored and has decreased due to effective interventions such as preventative chemotherapy with mass drug administration of praziquantel and community awareness programs. However, the prevalence among potential domestic reservoir animals remains broadly unclear, except for a few villages in the endemic area. Therefore, we conducted surveys for the domestic animals that had contact with Mekong River water.

Impact of precipitation on the prevalence of schistosomiasis mekongi in Lao PDR: Structural equation modelling using Earth observation satellite data.

Increasing attention is being given to the effect of climate change on schistosomiasis, but the impact is currently unknown. As the intermediate snail host () of inhabits the Mekong River, it is thought that environmental factors affecting the area of water will have an impact on the occurrence of schistosomiasis mekongi. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of precipitation on the prevalence of human schistosomiasis mekongi using epidemiological data and Earth observation satellite data in Khong district, Champasak province, Lao PDR.

Health-seeking behaviours in a malaria endemic district in Lao People's Democratic Republic: a mixed methods study.

Objectives: This mixed methods study was conducted to explore the barriers and facilitators for health-seeking behaviours in a malaria endemic district in Lao PDR.

Design: A convergent mixed methods design.

Setting: Two malaria endemic villages in Thapangthong district, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR.

Prevalence of G6PD Viangchan variant in malaria endemic areas in Lao PDR: an implication for malaria elimination by 2030.

Background: Primaquine is effective against the latent liver stage of Plasmodium vivax. Eliminating the latent liver stage of P. vivax is one of the necessary conditions to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) by 2030.

Malaria prevalence, knowledge, perception, preventive and treatment behavior among military in Champasak and Attapeu provinces, Lao PDR: a mixed methods study.

Background: Malaria is a major health problem in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with high transmission in remote and forest areas, particularly in the South. The military is at risk of malaria infection especially those deployed in forest areas. This study determined the prevalence of malaria infection and assessed knowledge, perception, and preventive and treatment behavior regarding malaria among military personnel in two southern provinces in Lao PDR.

Patients' adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapy and healthcare workers' perception and practice in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR.

Background: Artemisinin resistance in has been spreading across Southeast Asia. Patients' adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is critical to avoid expanding this resistance. The objectives of this research were to examine patients' adherence to ACT for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria and to examine the healthcare workers' perception of medication adherence and their dispensing practices for malaria patients in Savannakhet province, Lao PDR.

Heterogeneous distribution of k13 mutations in Plasmodium falciparum in Laos.

Background: The emergence and transnational spread of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) is a serious threat to malaria elimination in the region and could present a threat to malaria control in Africa. Recently, the Lao Government adopted the goal of malaria elimination by 2030, for which monitoring of artemisinin-resistant malaria within the country is indispensable. This study's objectives were to assess the distribution of k13 mutations in Laos.

Combination of PURE-DNA extraction and LAMP-DNA amplification methods for accurate malaria diagnosis on dried blood spots.

Background: Malaria is one of the most important parasitic infectious diseases for which almost half of the world's population is at risk. Although several diagnostic methods are now available to detect the infection, more sensitive and applicable tests are still required in the field. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method is a DNA amplification tool in which the DNA amplification can be achieved by incubation at a stable temperature.

Pfcrt genotypes and related microsatellite DNA polymorphisms on Plasmodium falciparum differed among populations in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Malaria morbidity and mortality have decreased gradually in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Presently, WHO sets a goal to eliminate malaria by 2030 in the GMS. However, drug-resistant malaria has been reported from several endemic areas.

Mothers' infection status and raw fish dish consumption in Lao People's Democratic Republic: determinants of child infection status.

Background: (Ov) infection is one of the foodborne trematodiases, which is highly endemic in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). The infection occurs especially when people eat raw fish containing Ov metacercariae. As eating raw fish is a traditional culture in Lao PDR, changing this behavior is difficult.

The detection of cryptic Plasmodium infection among villagers in Attapeu province, Lao PDR.

Background: Although the malaria burden in the Lao PDR has gradually decreased, the elimination of malaria by 2030 presents many challenges. Microscopy and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used to diagnose malaria in the Lao PDR; however, some studies have reported the prevalence of sub-microscopic Plasmodium infections or asymptomatic Plasmodium carriers in endemic areas. Thus, highly sensitive detection methods are needed to understand the precise malaria situation in these areas.

Case Report: Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome in Cerebral Malaria.

Cerebral malaria is a severe complication of falciparum malaria that occurs infrequently in adults. Here, we describe the case of a 21-year-old man who presented with fever and headache 13 days after returning from a 12-day trip to Kenya and was subsequently diagnosed with falciparum malaria. Complications of cerebral malaria developed within 1 day after the initiation of therapy with intravenous quinine, and the patient entered a deep coma.

Individual and household factors associated with incidences of village malaria in Xepon district, Savannakhet province, Lao PDR.

Background: In the Lao PDR, the incidence of malaria greatly differs among villages even within a subdistrict, and the reasons for this difference are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to identify differences in villagers' behavior and the household environment between villages with high incidences and those with low incidences of malaria in a rural district of the Lao PDR.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Xepon district, Savannakhet province.

Systematic review of the clinical manifestations of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in the Greater Mekong Subregion: implications for malaria elimination and beyond.

Introduction: To achieve malaria elimination in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) by 2030, proper case management is necessary. 8-aminoquinolines, such as primaquine, are the only available medicines effective in preventing relapse of the hypnozoite stage of , as well as the onward transmission of . However, primaquine can cause haemolysis in individuals who have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd).

Dual antiplasmodial activity of vitamin D3 and its analog, 22-oxacalcitriol, by direct and indirect mechanisms.

Recent evidence suggests that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol, VD3), the active form of vitamin D (VD), can inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms. In the present study, we conducted in vitro experiments and utilized in vivo murine models to investigate the antimalarial activity of VD3 and its analog, 22-oxacalcitriol (22-OCT), which was designed to cause less hypercalcemia than VD3. VD3 and 22-OCT treatments effectively resolved a Plasmodium chabaudi (Pc) infection in wild-type mice.

Household clustering of asymptomatic malaria infections in Xepon district, Savannakhet province, Lao PDR.

Background: In the Lao PDR, malaria morbidity and mortality have remarkably decreased over the past decade. However, asymptomatic infections in rural villages contribute to the on-going local transmission. The primary objective of this study was to explore the characteristics of infections in a malaria-endemic district of the Lao PDR.

Performance of Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Plasmodium ovale Malaria in Japanese Travellers.

Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are used widely in the diagnosis of malaria. Although the effectiveness of RDTs for malaria has been described in many previous studies, the low performance of RDT particularly for Plasmodium ovale malaria in traveller has rarely been reported.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on Japanese travellers diagnosed with malaria at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine between January 2004 and June 2013.

Microsatellite DNA analysis revealed a drastic genetic change of Plasmodium vivax population in the Republic of Korea during 2002 and 2003.

Background: Vivax malaria was successfully eliminated in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in the late 1970s, but it was found to have re-emerged from 1993. In order to control malaria and evaluate the effectiveness of malaria controls, it is important to develop a spatiotemporal understanding of the genetic structure of the parasite population. Here, we estimated the population structure and temporal dynamics of the transmission of Plasmodium vivax in South Korea by analyzing microsatellite DNA markers of the parasite.

First case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in a Japanese traveller returning from Malaysia.

This is the first case of Plasmodium knowlesi infection in a Japanese traveller returning from Malaysia. In September 2012, a previously healthy 35-year-old Japanese man presented to National Center for Global Health and Medicine in Tokyo with a two-day history of daily fever, mild headaches and mild arthralgia. Malaria parasites were found in the Giemsa-stained thin blood smear, which showed band forms similar to Plasmodium malariae.

Population structure and transmission dynamics of Plasmodium vivax in the Republic of Korea based on microsatellite DNA analysis.

Background: In order to control malaria, it is important to understand the genetic structure of the parasites in each endemic area. Plasmodium vivax is widely distributed in the tropical to temperate regions of Asia and South America, but effective strategies for its elimination have yet to be designed. In South Korea, for example, indigenous vivax malaria was eliminated by the late 1970s, but re-emerged from 1993.